VC Vinyl Community Best of the Year 2020 session

Listen to Mark at www.mixcloud.com/mark-william...
Listen to John at www.mixcloud.com/kiefferjohn/

[@Ed-Topo-108]

Hi guys, thanks for the great videos ( & radio shows). Been listening to so much music new to me from these. Stops me watching “How to noodle Giant Steps” & “Karen freak outs” through lockdown. . Seriously though, keep up the great work. Have a good one 👍

[@omniversal7]

Thanks for watching and listening and you have a good one too! I think watching Karen freak outs while playing Giant Steps through a lace face mask could be where we are heading in 2021 ...

[@mazzysmusic]

Always nice to see the years favorites. Different than my best albums so I’ll need to look into them. Cheers to you both and a happy better new year ✌🏻

[@omniversal7]

I think mine might have changed a bit since we did the did the video ... Best wishes to you for the new year too.

[@eatsleepvinyl]

Hi Gentlemen! Well despite the situation we find ourselves in, you've managed to provide an awesome alternative to your already fantastic format. Congrats to you both!! Ahhh, Art Pepper. Doesn't get a lot of love in the VC, so thanks for showing. He was one of those artists that had such a strong finish to his life/career. It seemed like everyone was rooting for him in the late 70s - early '80s. The Budd / Brown track is special for both artists! Mark, you are filled with superhuman positivity. That's about as kind as I've ever heard 'EGO' described LOL! What an amazingly discombobulated road apple of an LP. 'Tapestry' IS evergreen. No shame in a well-deserved revisit. John, I think your take on 'Pardon My French' is spot on. A top album of the year for me as well. Let hope for a better 2021, but in the meantime, enjoy any way you can. Cheers!! - Teddy

[@drrhythmn]

Many thanks Teddy - a very Happy New Year to you

[@johnsmusicpassions9740]

nice to find the channel chapman/whitney is a lost gem - luv it sue and betty jean is gorgeous and call ya is a stomping blues

[@Chris4127basket]

Cheers guys and Merry Christmas and happy new year. Thanks again for providing these wonderful conversations (thanks for having me as well), always a treat to see you. Jahari massamba Unit is a great pick for the lp of the year. I'll check out the Cleo Sol album for sure. My pick could be sault, I still try to figure out! All the best John & Mark

[@drrhythmn]

Thank you Chris - it was great to meet you at last! My top albums keep shifting - I would add Moses Sumney and his album GRAE, alongside Wilma Archers' A Western Circular in there now too... Happy New Year!

[@michaelfarrer7377]

From Tier 3 North West stay safe guys and see you next year #hny

[@drrhythmn]

We will be back - stay well!

[@Billybob_1976]

I’ve never commented on your videos before, albeit I watch them all. I’d just like to thank you both for your endless positivity and good humour and, of course, always showing great records. Please always continue what you do and wishing you and yours all the best.

[@drrhythmn]

Well - I am really glad you have chosen to comment now - solidarity with you stay positive!

[@omniversal7]

Welcome from me too! John (on the left)

[@FatCityVinyl]

Cheers guys - very late to the party but just getting round to checking out SAULT recently...I sampled the Dee Dee Bridgewater when it came out but wasn't moved to purchase, plus it seemed rather exorbitantly priced in my area...this has certainly been a challenging 9 months in which we have had to lean on our music more than ever before. All the best for the new year and merry Christmas to you both!

[@drrhythmn]

Many thanks Doug - your videos have a been a haven of good vibes and energy throughout 2020 - hoping for a much happier and hopeful New Year!

[@S242]

I commented on your "Family" nod before, so I must chime in for Chapman Whitney! I loved this one too. Both Family and their extended family were severely underrated in the States. In fact, I know very few people who are familiar with them or have even heard them. Shame. But this is just another reason why I watch you guys. Merry Christmas!

[@drrhythmn]

Cheers Steve - I have just ordered Red Card so expect that to be mentioned in the next video! Thank you for all your comments and a very Happy New Year to you

[@Paneeks1960]

Hello Mark and hello John. I want to thank you both for bringing us so many cool videos all year long. I also want to thank you both for all of the great music that you shared. I hope that you both have a safe and glorious Christmas filled with a ton of smiles. I look forward to seeing more from you both in 2021. Whole lotta love from New England~ Rob/Boston

[@drrhythmn]

And big love to you as ever Rob - you are a big part of creating this positive, loving space for us to be together in!

[@spinningreek2247]

Merry Christmas to you both and a big thanks to you both. Your videos have been a great respite from the shit sandwich that is 2020. The past year is a turning point, an opportunity to learn and evolve, hopefully for the better, and I hope 2021 shows humanity to be up to the task. I’m skeptical, but music always helps as do your videos. You’re aces. Be well!

[@drrhythmn]

You too Satvros - it's been good to find all these like minded souls in this space - I hope you get recharge and I'll raise a glass to hope in humanity! Cheers!

[@omniversal7]

And you Savros!

[@XjunkieNL]

Happy holidays for you both. You guys gave 2020 a nice twist. Learned a lot about Fela Kuti and the whole situation from the documentary. Love the fact that he stole the Mercedes from the record company :) Nice reminder to pick up Cleo Sol. Although I haven't been able to find it for a nice price. Will play Tapestry this evening. Been ages :) Cheers. /Paul

[@drrhythmn]

Thank you Paul - 2020 has been a great opportunity to meet and chat with some of the great folk like yourself out here in VC world - good luck with the Cleo Sol - I am sure it will get a repress along with the SAULT albums early next year - Happy New Year!

[@psychinthevalleys5324]

Lovely video guys. Sad to hear about the passing of Stanley Cowell. Been a challenging year but so much great music and actually time to discover more. Still getting over episode 2 of Small Axe. Wishing you both all the best. Cheers for now. Will be sure to seek out that Harold Budd record.

[@drrhythmn]

The Lover Rock film was momentous - high art and powerful. I think you will enjoy the Budd!

[@omniversal7]

The whole Small Axe series is great. Don't miss the rest if you can

[@psychinthevalleys5324]

@@drrhythmn I managed to listen to the Harold Budd record on KZbin last night. What a beautiful record. Another one to add to my list for 2021. Thanks for the wonderful recommendation.

[@6inchpianist]

Hi Chaps. Excellent session! I think there must’ve been something in the water, John, because I listened to Physical Graffiti earlier in the week too. It has to be at least 10 years since I last spun it. The Dee Dee Bridgewater reissue was certainly a highlight this year. Fantastic pressing from Mr Bongo. The reissue of Ethiopia Nights is one I really must pick up. We could do with Electric Byrd getting a reissue too. Have a great Christmas! Looking forward to more sessions in 2021. The VC has really delivered the goods this year! Cheers. John

[@drrhythmn]

And thank you for your enthusiasm, passion and love of music and sharing too John - cheers Mark

[@melomano4145]

Thank you for another wonderful year of great records and good vibes. It is true that having a space to share and find out about great new music is a real tonic, more so now than ever. I just sat down to the fantastic Fela doc which is very much still available on iplayer, until monday at least... thanks for the reminder, I didn't want to miss that one. A very happy Christmas and new year to you both.

[@drrhythmn]

And Happy Christmas to you too Laurence - your channel has been a source of endless treasure this year - let the vibes flow through!

[@Localbandography]

Hope Jonas gets well soon. Looking forward to that session. Stanley Cowell another tough loss this year in the jazz world. The Suzuki is on my grail list as you know Mark. Great record. The Pharoah is intriguing for sure. The lineup on the Dee Dee is fantastic. Man I need those Fela books. Great stuff gentlemen.

[@drrhythmn]

I am are that session will come in the New Year - love and best wishes for a much better year heading your way Dave!

[@Localbandography]

@@drrhythmn Thanks Mark. Hoping all is well in the UK.

[@miketomlin6040]

Electric Byrd and Ethiopian nights much sought after these days, much better than the Mizell efforts, although you chaps like the soul syrup, so may not concur.

[@omniversal7]

Hi Mike - I like both shades of 70s Donald although I think his own playing on the pre-Mizell records is probably better. (Kofi's pretty good too) The Mizell stuff - whether it's Donald or Bobbi Humphrey or Gary Bartz or whoever - is for me all about what the rhythm sections are doing on those records which for me is up there with James, P-Funk, Headhunters and (speaking of syrup) Barry White ...

[@miketomlin6040]

@@omniversal7 The Byrd/Mizell's may have suffered from over exposure. You may recall Peterson playing them non stop 30 or so years ago. But he was going for a more 'commerical' sound with them. The previous two seem to have more integrity, they work well as background in my view. The appeal of Places and Spaces has always bemused me, although I know plenty of musicians who also think it is poor. (I like the way you and Mark talk about the soul syrup, folks who champion tunes less revered are for me of special interest, not least as they encourage me to listen to them with new-er ears. Not that my opinion or buying seems to change often).

[@omniversal7]

@@miketomlin6040 I'm quite glad that I'd already worked out my musical universe well before Gilles came along and although I like him very much, I've never listened to his shows that often and have been wary of his narrow musical focus and of his influence on the UK scene. I was on a panel with Vijay Iyer in the US a few years and he said something great like "I grew up listening to Cecil, Stevie, the Grateful Dead, Messiaen and Heatwave and I assumed everybody else did too." That's pretty much how I feel.

[@miketomlin6040]

@@omniversal7 I loved the way Giles introduced me to many characters I'd not heard about back then. You are a bit older than me, so would have had more proximity to them back in the 70's. Are you saying here you and Vijay shared this 'assumption'? Could be a worse set of 5 soundscapes, although I've not been able to tolerate more than a bar of the G Dead or much Folky Rock over the years.

[@omniversal7]

@@miketomlin6040 What I liked about what Vijay said what that it reminded me of the early 70s when people were seeking out a wide range of music all at the same time. With punk and what followed in the 80s it all started to fragment into tiny scenes often defined and led not by musicians but by critics, label owners and DJs. It's got better now of course.